Coin operated amusement device



June 11, 1968 s. P. sHoEMAKER, JR., ETAL 3,387,474

COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. L4, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l r TQQ/v5 y June 11, 1968 S. P. SHOEMAKER, JR.. ETAL COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 14, '196e 2 Sheets-Sheet a di@ l f 64524092 22736;@

A 7 Toe/v5 Y United States Patent O COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE Stephen Powers Shoemaker, Jr., 137 S. Pacific Ave.,

Redondo Beach, Caiif. 90277; Daniel Duane Koby, 209 Rosecrans, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

90266; and Thomas B. Caplet, 2517 Via Carrillo,

Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. 90274 Filed Feb. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 527,372 9 Claims. (Cl. 72--30) The present invention relates generally to the amusement field, and more particularly to a coin operated device that sequentially pressure forms consecutive sections of a coil of a deformable material into articles of a desired configuration, such `as s-ouvenirs and the like, in a sequence of operations visi-ble t the operator, which device dispenses said articles after completion of the forming operation.

The general public, and certainly that portion thereof not technically or mechanically oriented, has little or no idea how metallic sheet material is pressure formed into an arti-cle of desired configuration such as an ashtray, or the like.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a combined amusement and educational device of such structure that when an operator thereof deposits a coin or coins therein, visible portions of the device move in sequence to pressure form an article of predetermined con figuration, normally of a type suitable as a souvenir, and upon completion of the operational sequence dispenses the formed device to the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfcontained unit in which a coil of strip material that is deformable is rotatably supported whereby consecutive sections of the coil may be formed into articles, with the left-over scrap material after the forming operation being returned into the confines of `the device and severed into portions which will occupy a minimum of space therein.

Another object of the invention is to supply a combined amusement and educational device of relatively simple structure that is capable of holding a substantial quantity of deformable strip material, as well as scrap resulting .from the forming operation, whereby service and maintenance of the device is only required at relatively infrequent intervals.

A still furthe'r object of the invention is to furnish a coin operated amusement and educational device that can be fabricated from standard, commercially available material-s, requires no elaborate plant facilities for the production thereof, land can ybe sold or leased at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combined amusement and educational device of high customer appeal due to the visibility of the moving parts thereof, making it possible for the observer to follow the predetermined path of operation, and due to the fact that the operator receives a souvenir upon termination of said oper-ation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the coin operated ice FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the forming dies in an open position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the .forming dies in the closed position;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a first of the dies, taken on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of a second of the dies, taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a portion of the strip advancing mechanism, taken on the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a combined and elevational and vertical cross-sectional view o-f a portion of a cam operated electric switch;

FIGURE 10 is a schematic view of the electric circuit and electrically operated compone-nts used in powering the combined educational and amusement device; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an article release mechnism mounted on the sec-ond die.

With continuing reference to the drawings for the general arrangement of the invention generally designated by the letter A, it will be seen to include a cabinet B that is preferably rectangular in shape. A coil of deformable strip material D, which may be aluminum, or a like material, is rotatably supported on first means C situated Within the cabinet B. The device includes second means E which guides strip material D upwardly to a first position above the cabinet B. A third, electrically operated power means F are also provided, as shown in FIGURE 3, that sequentially move consecutive sec-tions of the strip material D to a first posi-tion above the cabinet B.

When a section of the strip material D is disposed in the first position above cabinet B, it is formed by fourth pressure exerting means G into an article of predetermined configuration such as an ashtray L, or the like. The fourth means G forms a central portion of the strip material D into an article L when the strip material is in the first position, and severs that portion of the strip material defining the article from the strip.

The strip material D from which portions have been severed to define the formed articles is identified by the notation D and is guided by a fifth means H into the confines of the cabinet B. Each section of strip material D' having a cut-out portion is severed from the balance of strip material D by seventh means K (FIGURE 3), with the severed portions falling to the bottom of cabinet B by force of gravity to occupy a minimum of space therein as severed sections D". Periodically the sections D" are removed from the cabinet B and sold as scrap or otherwise disposed of.

The cabinet B, as best seen in FIGURES l, 2, and 3, includes a bottom 10, two identical end walls 12, a back wall 14, and a front wall 16. A large opening 18 is preferaby formed in wall 16 to permit access to the intcrior of cabinet B, which opening is normally closed by a door 20 pivotally supported from wall 16 by hinges 22, or other suitable means. Walls 12, 14 and 16 cooperatively support a horizontal top 24.

The back wall 14, in combination with rear and upwardly extending sections 12' of the end walls 12, together with a second vertical rearwardly disposed wall 26 cooperatively define a panel structure 28. The upper extremities of wall 26, end wall extremities 12', and an extension 14' of the rear wall 14, are connected by a horizontal rectangular rigid member 3f), as best shown in FIGURE 1.

A transparent bubble 32 formed from one of the various polymerized resins available for such purposes, extends upwardly from the sides and forward edge of the top 24, with the rear upper extremity 34 of the bubble, as Well as the rear extremities 36 of the side wall portions thereof being in abutting contact with the wall 26. The

bubble 32 is removably supported on the top 24 by conventional means, not shown.

Two laterally spaced vertical partitions 38 and 4t) are provided, as can best be seen in FIGURE 3, which extend upwardly from the bottom to the lower surface of the top 24 and subdivide the interior of cabinet B into three compartments 42, 44 and 46. By pivoting the door to the open position, access may be had to any one of the confined spaces 42, 44, 46 for maintenance purposes, or to permit removal of scrap segments D" from the cabinet B and insertion yof a new coil D of strip material on the support C.

The rotatable support C shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, is defined by a rectangular base 48 secured by conventional means (not shown) to the upper surface of the bottom 10, and two spaced legs 50 extend upwardly from this base. Notches 52 extend downwardly from the upper portions of legs 50, which support a horizontal shaft 54 that projects through a central opening in the coil of strip material D. Strip material D passes through an opening S6 formed in the lower portion of partition 38 and movably engages a roller 58 rotatably supported on a shaft 60, as shown in FIGURE 3. Shaft is held in a predetermined position within compartment 44 by a conventional bracket 62 secured to the partition 3S. The strip material D extends upwardly in compartment 44 past a chute 64 and then passes through an opening 66 formed in the top 24.

After passing through the narrow openings 66, consecutive sections of strip material D are disposed in a first position above the top 24 where a central portion of the strip material is severed therefrom and formed into a souvenir article, such as an ashtray L, shown in section in FIGURE 7. Sections D' of the strip material D out of which central portions have been severed, extend over a second roller 63 that is rotatably supported on a shaft 7). Shaft 70 extends between identical spaced legs 72 that are rigidly atiixed to the upper surface of a heavy vertical support 74 mounted in a transverse position on the upper surface of the top 24.

The strip material D (FIGURE 3) passes downwardly from the second roller 68 to be frictionally engaged by two resilient roller 76 and 78, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 8. Roller 76 and 78 are disposed between two laterally spaced legs 80 and 82 which extend upwardly from the top 24. Roller 76 is rigidly affixed to a shaft 84 that is rotatably supported in legs 80 and 82 and projects outwardly from the leg 82. A sprocket 86 is mounted on the outwardly projecting portion of the shaft 84 and is engaged by an endless chain belt 88, as may be seen in FIGURE 3. The belt 88 engages a driving sprocket 90 that may be rotated by an electric ymotor 92 (FIGURE 3) rigidly affixed by conventional means (not shown) to the upper surface of the top 24. After passing between the rollers 76 and 78, the strip, material D extends downwardly through a narrow transverse opening 94 formed in the top 24. After the strip material D' passes through opening 94 into the compartment 46, it is severed into segments D" `by the seventh means K.

The seventh means K includes an electric solenoid 96, which when electrically energized moves an armature 98 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 3, with a cutting member 100 being on the left-hand end of the armature that severs strip material D in compartment 46 from the balance of the strip material. The segments D drop by force of gravity to the bottom 10 to lie one atop the other in the manner shown in FIGURE 3 where they occupy a minimum of space. The accumulated segments D may be removed from compartment 46 during regular servicing of the device A.

The fourth means G (FIGURE 3) includes a support 102 that extends upwardly from the top 24 and is held in a fixed position thereon relative to support 74 by a number of heavy bolts 104, or the like. A hydraulic cylinder 106 extends to the left of support 102, as also shown in 4 FIGURE 3. A piston 108 is slidably mounted in cylinder 106 and is connected to a piston rod 110 that extends through the right-hand end of the cylinder and support 102 through openings (not shown) therein to engage a first die member 112 which supports a first die 114 on the right-hand side thereof.

Die 114 is adapted to be moved into pressure contact with a second die 116 mounted on the support 74. Assuming that the fourth means G are to be used in forming the ashtray L, the rst die 114 will be circular, as best shown in detail in FIGURE 6. First die 114 is afiixed to the die member 112 by conventional means such as welding, or the like.

A circumferentially extending ring-shaped surface 118 is provided on die member 112, and the inner edge of this die member develops into a cavity 120. The center of cavity 120 is in communication with a recess 122 from which a bore 124 extends to the left, as may be seen in FIGURE 4.

A first plate 126 is slidably mounted in recess 122, from which a pin 128 extends into the bore 124. A helical spring 130 is disposed in bore 124 which encircles the pin 128, with the right-hand end thereof being in abutting Contact with the rear surface of plate 126 to maintain the plate in spaced relationship with the left-hand portion of recess 122.

A shear ring 134 is slidably mounted on the exterior surface of first die 114, and circumferentially spaced pins 136 project from the left side of this ring as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The pins 136 are slidably supported in bores 138 formed in die member 112. Helical springs 140 encircle pins 136 and maintain the shear rings 134 in the position shown where the right-hand surface thereof is in substantial alignment with the ring-shaped surface 118.

The second die assembly 116 includes a second die member 142, the exterior surface 144 of which is complementary to the cavity 120, as also shown in FIGURE 4. Die member 142 is secured to support 74 by conventional means, such as welding or the like. The second die assembly 116 also includes a pressure ring 146 having a at surface 148 on the left-hand side thereof, and a number of circumferentially spaced pins 150 project to the right from this ring which are slidably mounted in bores 152 formed in support 74. The bores 152 are in communication with recesses 154 formed in support 74, and at the junction of these recesses and bores circumferentially extending body shoulders 156 are defined.

A number of stiff helical springs 158 are provided which encircle pins 150, with the left-hand ends thereof abutting against the right-hand surface of ring 146, and the right-hand ends thereof being in contact with the body shoulders 156. Ring 146 (FIGURE 4) is concentrically arranged relative to the second die member 142, and is in slidable contact with the interior surface of a cylindrical shear member 160, the right-hand surface of which is rigidly secured to support 74 by conventional means. The strip material D passes upwardly between the first and second dies 114 and 116. A centrally disposed recess 162 is formed in die member 142, from which a bore 164 projects to the right. An insignia bearing plate 166 is removably mounted in recess 162, and a pin 168 which extends to the right of this plate occupies a portion of the bore 164.

Any name or insignia may be formed in raised letters on the left-hand surface of plate 166, which are stamped into the ashtray L during formation thereof. When the hydraulic cylinder 106 is actuated by means to be later explained, the first die member 112 and first die 114 are moved to the right (FIGURE 4) to contact a section of strip material D and force it into pressure contact with the second die 116. After die 114 has moved to the right, it forces a section of strip material D to the right where it is in full Contact with the surface 144, causing the ring 146 to move to the right due to compression of the springs 158 which permits sheet material in said section to ow without wrinkling to detine a circumferentially extending lip 174 on the article L, as may be seen in FIGURE 5.

As the first die 114 and tirst die member 112 move to the right, the shear member 160 slides over the exterior surface of the first die 114, whereby the shear ring 134 is moved to the left by the compressed springs 140, and in so doing, shears the material dening the article L from the central part of a section of the strip material D located in a first position above the top 24. After formation of the article L, the hydraulic cylinder 106 is actuated, the piston 108 therein moves to the left, and in turn moves the irst die 114 and first die member 112 from the position shown in FIGURE to that shown in FIGURE 4. Thereafter the formed article L drops through an opening 176 formed in top 24, as shown in FIGURE 3, to enter the downwardly and forwardly extending chute 64 that includes a vertical straight side wall 180 on the right-hand side thereof which partially defines the guide means H.

The third means F is preferably actuated to move another section of strip material D upwardly to the first position after a coin is deposited in the device A so that the above described operation can be repeated. As the third means F is so actuated, the strip material D' from which portions have been removed in forming an article L, is moved below the top 24. Thereafter, the solenoid 96 is electrically energized to cause the member 100 to sever the segment D of strip material D depending below the top 24 from the balance thereof, with the severed segment falling by force of gravity to the bottom of the compartment 46, as shown in FIGURE 3.

A pump 182 including a Huid reservoir 184 is mounted on partition 38, disposed in compartment 42 as shown in FIGURE 3, and is driven by a shaft 186 to which a pulley 188 is aiiixed. An endless belt 190 engages pulley 188 and extends to a driven pulley 192 that is rotated by an electric motor 194 which is mounted on partition 38.

A fluid discharge conduit 196 extends from pump 182 to a four-port valve 198 that is operated by a solenoid 280. Two conduits 200 and 202 extend from valve 198 to opposite interior end portions of hydraulic cylinder 106. A fourth conduit 204 leads from valve 198 to reservoir 184.

The electric circuit N used in actuating and controlling the device A is shown in detail in FIGURE 10, which includes an electric motor 206 that drives a shaft 288 on which five cams 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 are mounted which form part of a switch assembly O shown in FIGURES 3 and 10. As cam 210 rotates, it serves to move the blade 220 of a double throw switch 210a from a first posiion where the blade engages a contact 222 to a second position where the blade is in engagement with a contact 224. Contact 222 is connected by a conductor 226 to a contact 228 forming a part of a normally open relay 230. Contact 224 is connected by an electrical conductor 232 to motor 206.

At a junction point 232e therein, conductor 232 is connected by an electric conductor 234 to a solenoid 236 forming part of the relay 230. Another terminal of solenoid 236 is joined by an electric conductor 238 to a contact 240 forming part of a normally open electric switch 242 having a blade 244. Blade 244 is connected by an electric conductor 246 to a junction point 248, which in turn is connected by an electric conductor 258 to the blade 220 of switch 210e.

The junction point 248 is also connected to a conductor 252 extending to a source of domestic power (not shown), and a conductor 254 is also connected to the source of domestic electric power. Conductor 254, as may be seen in FIGURE l0, has a number of junction points 254a, 254b, 254C, and 254d therein. Junction point 254b is connected by a conductor 256 to the electric motor 92. A second conductor 258 extends from electric motor 92 to a contact 260, forming a part of a normally open electric switch 212a, which switch includes a blade 262 connected to a junction point 264, that is in turn connected by conductor 266 to junction point 248. Motor 194 is connected by a conductor 268 to junction point 254e, and also by a second conductor 270 to a contact 272 forming a part of a normally open electric switch 214e that is controlled by rotation of the cam 214.

Switch 214a includes a blade 274 connected by a conductor 276 which extends to a junction point 276e in a conductor 278 that leads to junction point 264. Actuation of solenoid 288 (FIGURES 3 and 10) operates the valve 198. Energization of solenoid 286 is controlled by rotation of the cam 216 to close a normally open electrical switch 216e that includes a blade 282 connected to conductor 278 by a conductor 290. The blade 282 can engage a contact 284 that is connected by a conductor 286 to the` solenoid 280.

The other terminal of solenoid 280 is connected by a conductor 288 to junction point 25461. The blade 282 is connected by a conductor 290 to a junction point 292a in conductor 278. Conductor 278 is also connected to a blade 292 forming a part of a normally open electric switch 218e that can be moved by rotation of the cam 218 to engage a contact 294 connected by a conductor 296 to the solenoid 96. The other terminal of solenoid 96 is connected by a conductor 298 that extends to junction point 25451. The relay 230 includes an armature 302 that is connected by a conductor 384 to a junction point 304e in conductor 238.

When a coin is deposited in a suitable receptacle 300 (FIGURES l and 10), which may be a slug rejector or the like, the switch 242 is momentarily closed to electrically energize the relay 230. Thereafter, armature 302 is moved to engage contact 228, and the timer motor 206 starts to rotate the shaft 208 and cams 2104218 inclusive thereon. As cam 210 starts to rotate, it moves the blade 220 in switch 210 out of engagement with contact 222 (FIGURE l0) and into engagement with contact 224. The circuit to the relay 230 is then broken, with electric current being supplied to the timer motor 206 through conductors 252, 250, blade 220, contact 224, conductor 232 and a conductor 386 that extends to junction point 254:1 in conductor 254.

As cam 212 starts to rotate, it moves blade 262 into engagement with contact 260 to electrically energize the motor 92, which in turn causes rotation of the rollers 76 and 78, best seen in FIGURES 3 and 8, to move a section of the sheet material D upwardly into a iirst position between the dies 114 and 116, with the sheet material D' from which portions have been removed being moved downwardly through the fth means I-I into the compartment 46.

Thereafter, rotation of the cam 218 places blade 292 in engagement with contact 294 to electrically energize the solenoid 96, whereby the cutting member 100 severs the strip material D depending into the confined space 46 which permits the same to fall as a severed portion D to the bottom of said confined space. Further rotation of cam 218 allows the blade 292 that is spring-loaded to move out of engagement with the contact 294, breaking the circuit to the solenoid 96, which permits the spring-loaded armature 98 to return the cutting member 100 to the position shown in FIGURE 3.

Further rotation of cam 212 results in movement of the spring-loaded blade 262 out of engagement with contact 260 to occupy the position shown in FIGURE 10, and as a consequence, the electric circuit to the motor 92 is broken. Energization of the motor 194 actuates the pump 182 to discharge Huid through conduit 196 to the s0lenoid-operated valve 198 from which the fluid tlows through conduit 202 to the cylinder 106 to move piston 188 therein to the right. As piston 108 moves to the right, it urges the die 114 into engagement with die 116 to form a portion of a section of the strip material D occupying a first position above the top 24 into an article L of desired conguration, which is illustrated in FIGURES -7 inclusive, as being a circular ashtray, as well as severing the formed article from the strip mater-ial D.

Rotation of the cam 216 brings the blade 282 of switch 216m into engagement with contact 284 to energize the solenoid `280' forming a part of the solenoid-operated valve 198. As a result of energization of solenoid 280, valve 198 is temporarily moved to a position where fluid is discharged through the conduit 200 into the cylinder 106, and fluid to the left of the piston 108 in cylinder 106 is discharged through the conduit 202, -valve 198, and conduit 204 to reservoir 184.

As the previously described flow of fluid takes place, the die 114 and die member 112 are moved to the left to come out to rest in the position shown in FIGURE 3. After separation of dies 114 and 116, further rotation of the carn 216 breaks the circuit to the solenoid 280, and due to t-he spring-loading thereof, the valve moves to a position where the fiuid discharged therethrough passes on through conduit 202. While the Valve is in this position, fiuid can fiow from the conduit 200 through the valve to the conduit 204 to enter reservoir 184.

The timer motor 206 continues to rotate the shaft 208 whereby the blade 220 of switch 210e is moved out of engagement with contact 224 into engagement with contact 222. The device is then de-encrgized, and will only repeat the above described operation after another coin is deposited in receptacle 300.

The timer motor 206, shaft 208, cams 2104218 inclusi-ve, and associated electrical switches are shown as an integral assembly O in FIGURE 3. To prevent the formed article L from adhering to the second die assembly 116, a number of circumferentially spaced pairs of bores and counterbores 308 and 310- respectively may be formed in ring 146 which slidably support pins 312. Each pin 312 includes a prong 314 that is slidably supported in one of the bores 308. Each pin 312 is at all times urged to the left (FIGURE ll) by a helical spring 316 that encircles a shank 318 thereof and abuts against the second support 74. Each shank 318 is slidably mounted in a bore 320 formed in the second support. After the article L is formed and separation of the dies 114 and 116, the pins are urged to the left as viewed in FIGURE 11, to displace the article from the second die. The formed article L then drops into chute 66 to be delivered to the operator of the device A. The operator has access to chute 66 through an opening 322 formed in wall 16 as shown in FIGURE 1.

Operation of the invention has been described in detail herein and need not be repeated.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and we do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A coin operated amusement device for sequentially forming consecutive segments of a coil of deformable strip material into souvenir articles of a predetermined configuration, including:

(a) a cabinet including a bottom, a wall structure eX- tending upwardly from said bottom, and a top supported by said wall structure, which bottom, wall structure and top cooperatively define a confined space;

(b) first means for rotatably supporting said coil in said cabinet in said confined space;

(c) second lmeans for guiding said strip as it unwinds from said coil upwardly through an opening formed in said top;

(d) third power-operated means for sequentially moving said strip to dispose consecutive sections thereof in a first position above said top;

(e) fourth power-operated means located above said top adjacent said first position that severs a central portion of each of said sections therefrom, and pressure forms each of said portions into one of said articles;

(f) fifth means for guiding said strip in which cut-out portions have been formed downwardly into said confined space;

(g) sixth power-operated means that sequentially severs each of said sections having a cut-out portion from the balance of said strip after said section moves below said top, which severed sections drop by force `of gravity into said bottom to occupy a minimum of room in said confined space; and

(h) seventh means for delivered said article to an operator; and

(i) eighth means actuated by the deposit of at least one coin at a predetermined position in said device for sequentially actuating said third and fourth means to form one of said articles.

2. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, which further includes at least one vertical partition in said cabinet that subdivides said confined space therein into a plurality of compartments, with one of said compartments being so located as to receive said severed sections and store the same, with first means including:

(j) two vertically spaced, laterally separated legs disposed in one of said compartments other than that in which said severed sections are contained, in the upper portion of which legs horizontally aligned notches are formed; and

(k) a horizontal shaft removably supported in said notches, with said shaft extending through a centrally disposed opening formed in said coil to rotatably support the same.

3. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, which further includes first and second spaced vertical partitions in said cabinet that subdivide said confined space therein into first, second and third compartments, with said third compartment being so disposed as to receive said severed segments therein, with said first means being situated in said first compartment in the lower portion of which an opening is formed that is in communcation with said first and second compartments, and a transverse slit being formed in said top, which second means includes:

(l) a first roller rotatably supported in said second compartment from said first partition and over which roller said strip material passes after unwinds from said coil and moves through said opening in said first partition; and

(k) a second roller rotatably supported above said top that is engaged by said strip material after it has passed through said opening in said top, with a section thereof being disposed in said first position, which second roller ser-vesto guide said strip material from which portions have been cut in forming said articles, to said third power operated means.

4. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, wherein said third means comprise:

(j) first and second resilient rollers disposed above said top and rotatably supported in pressure contact with one another, with said rollers frictionally gripping a portion of said strip metal disposed above said top;

(k) electrically operated means for driving one of isaid rollers to sequentially unwind said strip material from said coil and dispose consecutive sections thereof at said first position;

(l) a normally open electric circuit for supplying power to said electrically operated means; and

(m) coin operated means for closing said circuit for a sufficient length of time to permit said electrically operated means to rotate said rollers to the extent that `a section of said strip is moved to said first position.

5. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes:

(j) a first movable die disposed above said top adjacent said first position;

(k) a second fixed die positioned above said top adjacent said first position and separated from said first die;

(l) power means for moving said first die towards said second die to pressure form a section of said strip material disposed in said first position into one of said souvenir articles; and

(m) shear means associated with said first and second dies for severing said formed article from said strip material.

6. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sixth means includes:

(j) a solenoid mounted on the lower surface of said top;

(k) an armature slidably supported in said solenoid;

and

(l) a cutting member mounted on an end of said armature for severing sections of said strip material there from.

7. A coin operated device as defined in claim 5 wherein said seventh means includes:

(j) a chute into which said article drops after being formed, with said chute being in communication with an opening formed in said cabinet.

8. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, wherein said third, fourth and sixth means are electrically operated, and said eighth means includes:

(j) a normally open electrical circuit;

(k) means for temporarily closing said circuit by depositing at least one coin at a predetermined position relative to said cabinet;

(l) a motor that is actuated by the closing of said circuit;

(m) a plurality of cams that are rotated =by said motor;

(n) a plurality of normally open electrical switches forming a part of said circuit that are sequentially closed by the rotation of said cams to first energize said third means, secondly said fourth means, and thirdly said sixth means; and

(o) means for returning said circuit to its normally open position after said article has been formed.

9. A coin operated device as defined in claim 1, wherein said third and fourth means at least are mounted on the upper surface of said top, and said device further includes:

(j) a rigid transparent bubble mounted on said top that encloses said third and fourth means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1912 Kaiser 72-330 2/1966 Moller 72-328 

1. A COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIALLY FORMING CONSECUTIVE SEGMENTS OF A COIL OF DEFORMABLE STRIP MATERIAL INTO SOUVENIR ARTICLES OF A PREDETERMINED CONFIGURATION, INCLUDING: (A) A CABINET INCLUDING A BOTTOM, A WALL STRUCTURE EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM, AND A TOP SUPPORTED BY SAID WALL STRUCTURE, WHICH BOTTOM, WALL STRUCTURE AND TOP COOPERATIVELY DEFINE A CONFINED SPACE; (B) FIRST MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID COIL IN SAID CABINET IN SAID CONFINED SPACE; (C) SECOND MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID STRIP AS IT UNWINDS FROM SAID COIL UPWARDLY THROUGH AN OPENING FORMED IN SAID TOP; (D) THIRD POWER-OPERATED MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY MOVING SAID STRIP TO DISPOSE CONSECUTIVE SECTIONS THEREOF IN A FIRST POSITION ABOVE SAID TOP; (E) FOURTH POWER-OPERATED MEANS LOCATED ABOVE SAID TOP ADJACENT SAID FIRST POSITION THAT SEVERS A CENTRAL PORTION OF EACH OF SAID SECTIONS THEREFROM, AND PRESSURE FORMS EACH OF SAID PORTION INTO ONE OF SAID ARTICLES; (F) FIFTH MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID STRIP IN WHICH CUT-OUT PORTIONS HAVE BEEN FORMED DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID CONFINED SPACE; (G) SIXTH POWER-OPERATED MEANS THAT SEQUENTIALLY SEVERS EACH OF SAID SECTIONS HAVING A CUT-OUT PORTION FROM THE BALANCE OF SAID STRIP AFTER SAID SECTION MOVES BELOW SAID TOP, WHICH SEVERED SECTIONS DROP BY FORCE OF GRAVITY INTO SAID BOTTOM TO OCCUPY A MINIMUM OF ROOM IN SAID CONFINED SPACE; AND (H) SEVENTH MEANS FOR DELIVERED SAID ARTICLE TO AN OPERATOR; AND (I) EIGHTH MEANS ACTUATED BY THE DEPOSIT OF AT LEAST ONE COIN AT A PREDETERMINED POSITION IN SAID DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIALLY ACTUATING SAID THIRD AND FOURTH MEANS TO FORM ONE OF SAID ARTICLES. 